1、CCC – China Compulsory Certificate

In the field of product certifications, the abbreviation CCC stands for China Compulsory Certificate. Certain product groups must have a CCC certificate before they can be exported to China. It is a mandatory certification in China. The CCC certification is comparable to other certifications for the standardization of product quality and safety, such as the European CE system.

The CCC certificate was introduced in 2002. The authorities responsible for CCC certification (China Compulsory Certification) in China include the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA), China Quality Certification Centre (CQC), China Certification Centre for Automotive Products (CCAP).

CCC (also often called 3C certificate) applies to both imported and Chinese made products. Products requiring CCC certification must obtain CCC approval prior to being to being imported, bought, sold, and used or traded in in China. Improper use of CCC licenses or printing a CCC-mark on products without certification will also result in fines and penalties.

2、CCC Certification

There are several different types of CCC certification:

a.CCC Certification (China Compulsory Certification)

The China Compulsory Certification is a mandatory certification including product testing in China, an initial factory audit and subsequent annual follow-up inspections for products that are listed in the CCC catalogue.

b.CCC Self-Declaration Certification

This is a certification that applies to specific types of products. The manufacturer is required to obtain the self-declaration certificate. Certain requirements must be met and corresponding information must be uploaded into a regulatory online system. In addition, product tests in China are usually required.

c.Voluntary Certification (CCAP and CQC)

Many products that do not fall under the CCC obligation according to the CCC regulations or require a CCC Self-Declaration can obtain a voluntary certification. Voluntary certifications provide an indication to the end user that a certified product meets certain specified quality standards. The criteria checked are very similar to those for standard CCC certification. Often the requirement for voluntary certification comes from the end customer or OEM, which is why many manufacturers requested or required to have products certified.

3、CCC certification process

a.Application

b.Issuance of the factory code

c.Product testing in China

d.Factory audit

e.Receipt of the CCC certificate

f.Marking with the CCC logo

The duration of CCC registration depends on the workload of the authority, test laboratory and auditors. With good guidance, the process can be completed within approximately 3-5 months; however, this is highly dependent on the product type and specific requirements. The success of CCC registration is dependent on detail-oriented work according to the Chinese guidelines. The results of the product tests (with some tests being obligatorily carried out in Chinese laboratories) and factory inspection are carefully reviewed by the Chinese authorities and precisely cross-checked against the application forms and supporting documentation submitted in advance. In the event of errors or deficiencies, the certification will be delayed or denied.

4、Changing of existing CCC certificates

Manufacturing facilities that have a CCC certificate for at least one of their products must comply with the applicable Chinese regulations. The regulations consist of the Implementation Rules and the GB Standards.

One of the most common requirements involves change management. The certified manufacturer will need to assure the Chinese authorities that relevant changes to a part will be made before implementation of the change. The process usually requires submitting a change applications and testing in China. The changes cannot be made until the certification authority grants approval with a change notice.

I.According to the implementing regulations, some of the changes that require notification include:

a.Change to the product design

b.Change to the structure of the product (e.g., adding another layer of material to an interior component)

c.Changes to a core component”Key Component”

d.Change of raw materials

e.Change of material suppliers

f.Change in the organizational structure of the plant (for example if responsibility for CCC is transferred to another employee)

g.Changes to the part name or part number

Some changes require product retesting to be performed in China. If the production line or even the entire plant is to be relocated, a new initial certification or at least an additional plant inspection is usually required.

II.When updating GB Standards or Implementation Rules, the manufacturer must observe the following:

a.Certificate holders must submit a request to change the GB Standard or Implementation Rules before the deadline.

b.In case of GB Standard updates, product tests must be performed according to the new GB Standards.